Posted by Joel Mathis August 17, 2006 at 6:47 a.m.

Leaks are on Roberts' mind

Pat Roberts[(Hutchinson News) Sen. Roberts discusses leaks in McPherson:][1] There is nothing classified in Washington today, said U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., disturbed by leaked information. "These are stories that have made America less safe, in my view, and have endangered sources, methods and lives," Roberts said during a stop Wednesday afternoon in McPherson. He referred to stories on government surveillance tactics and money-tracking efforts to find terrorists. The stories not only rob the government of its national security tools, but they also are filled - "80 percent" - with errors, he said.[(Salina Journal) Roberts criticizes media:][2] Roberts, a Kansas Republican, said he wasn't out to "muzzle" the media, but responsibility should be discussed in journalism schools. "The press ... has a right to print whatever they deem appropriate on behalf of the public's right to know," Roberts said. "The question today is should they, when what they print is classified information that endangers sources, methods and lives."[(UPI) Analysis: Leaks likely on Iraq NIE:][3] The secret National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq, coming as it may just before Novembers election, will be the focus of such public interest that some senators have called for an unclassified summary to be issued.... National Intelligence Estimates are distillations of U.S. intelligence reporting that generally do not contain direct reference to sources or methods, intelligence professionals say. But the full version will nonetheless contain a great deal of data that could reveal U.S. capabilities -- for instance to intercept a particular channel of communications. ... A congressional staffer with knowledge of intelligence matters told UPI that Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., 'recognizes that a clear enunciation of our intelligence assessments could be useful to our adversaries.' The staffer said Roberts believed that it should be up to Negropontes office 'to make that judgment of public interest versus the need to protect intelligence sources and methods. That is their call.'Sam Brownback[(Press Release) National Leaders Speak to the Values Voters:][4] FRC Action, the legislative action arm of Family Research Council, will host the first annual Washington Briefing: Values Voter Summit 2006 along with co-sponsors Focus on the Family Action, American Family Association Action and Americans United to Preserve Marriage. With a combined network of over five million supporters, four of America's most influential faith-and-family groups are gearing up for an event guaranteed to shape the debate for this year's midterm elections and beyond. FRC Action President Tony Perkins and co-sponsors Dr. James Dobson, Gary Bauer and Don Wildmon will be joined by Ann Coulter, Newt Gingrich, Bill Bennett, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Sens. George Allen and Sam Brownback, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Reps. Mike Pence and Marilyn Musgrave and many more.How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation [here.][5] [1]: http://www.hutchnews.com/news/regional/stories/Roberts081706.shtml [2]: http://www.saljournal.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=8252&format=html [3]: http://news.monstersandcritics.com/northamerica/article_1191009.php/Analysis_Leaks_likely_on_Iraq_NIE [4]: http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=70835 [5]: http://ljworld.com/extra/where_to_write.html#fed